 Wonder Woman 1984 is the perfect movie to distract the world from everything happening at the moment.
Directed by Patty Jenkins, Wonder Woman 1984 was released on Dec. 25, 2020 in select theaters and made its streaming service debut on HBO Max exclusively. After several COVID-19-induced delays from release dates stretching summer to fall and finally Christmas of 2020, the sequel has finally been released. Wonder Woman 1984 stars Gal Gadot as the title character, as well as Chris Pine, Kristen Wiig and Pedro Pascal. Wonder Woman 1984 serves as a decent sequel to its 2017 predecessor. Smacked in the middle of a colorful era, the time period doesn’t necessarily serve much of a purpose to the film’s plot; however, it almost gives it some campiness. The 1980s setting, references, and occasional music almost seem to serve as a marketing ploy for the movie, as the era seems to be very in right now. In its 151 minute runtime, Diana Prince (Gadot) lives among normal mortal people, working at the Smithsonian in D.C. There, she befriends Barbara Minerva (Wiig). The pair later discover a wish-granting stone, the Dreamstone. Diana wishes for her dead lover, Steve Trevor (Pine), to come back to life, though she does it unknowingly. After discovering Diana’s super powers, Barbara wishes for some of her own. A spiraling businessman, Maxwell Lord (Pedro Pascal), wishes to acquire the Dreamstone in hopes of saving his failing oil company. Through seduction and secrets, Maxwell, also known as “Max Lord,” teams up with Barbara, who has taken on fierce cheetah-like powers and abilities. The two take the Dreamstone, and Diana and Steve must defeat them. Wonder Woman 1984 is actually a decent sequel to its original. I wouldn’t say it necessarily works or functions like a normal sequel, because there’s not as much reference to the 2017 blockbuster as I would’ve expected. The film clearly makes the most of its D.C. location and time period, with a good amount of references and only things possible in D.C. -- like White House scenes and meeting with the president. All in all, I enjoyed the sequel. Its lengthy runtime certainly feels long, but this latest installment in the Wonder Woman story doesn’t feel as boring or pressured as its predecessor. For fans of superhero movies or the DC universe, it is a new checkbox on your list of movies to watch.
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Directed by John Whitesell, Netflix’s latest holiday, romantic-comedy movie, “Holidate,” stars Emma Roberts, Luke Bracey and Kristen Chenowith. Roberts plays Sloane, a single Chicagoan who works from home and whose family criticizes her for not yet finding a man to settle down with. Jackson, her love interest, is played by Bracey. Holidays, especially when single, have been awful for the both of them, so after another, solo Christmas for Sloane, and an uncomfortable situation with his then-fling for Jackson, the pair unexpectedly meet. Sloane hears the term “holidate,” which simply is a one time date for the holidays, through her eccentric aunt, played by Chenowith. Sloane offers the idea up to Jackson, since they both don’t have plans for New Year’s Eve. Through the movie, they continue “holidating” each major holiday, only as friends with simple rules to follow. As the movie progresses, their feelings for each other begin to become evident, so they must finally confront them in the end. For me, “Holidate” was an enjoyable movie. Of course, the movie follows the same set of rules that every rom-com follows with the main protagonist not wanting to be in a relationship, when there’s a perfect one right in front of her. The characters are somewhat plain and basic, but they can still be found relatable. The dialogue is current and realistic, as well as the way some of the characters behave and interact. The movie is filled with comedic, romantic and festive moments, and its eccentric cast of characters make the movie this way. The movie might be basic, but it’s an interesting and refreshing twist on the overdone romantic-comedy genre.   The world around us struggles with a smooth transition to normalcy as we adjust to Covid-19. Businesses, schools, sports and everyone are forced to adapt, as guidelines and our own safety affect the entire world now. While everyone has struggled with the major adjustments around us, businesses that keep patrons in close-proximities with one another make some of the biggest adjustments - including your local movie theaters. While schools can commence virtually, and restaurants can continue through delivery or curbside pick-up, how is your neighborhood cinema expected to show movies? This past weekend I attended Marcus Ronnie’s Cinema as safely and cautiously as I could have. As I entered the parking-lot, I noticed that it was close to being empty as expected. Buying your ticket is done completely online, and they scan your phone when you enter. All employees wore masks and gloves, and hand sanitizer was available at almost every entry, exit, or door I could see. Concession stands were opened with a limited menu, but ordering online or through their app was encouraged. When you order food, they bring it to your seat in the theater. In terms of drinks, their fountain soda and slushie machines are blocked off, so an employee fills up your drink for you, and if you want a refill, they have to throw away your cup and grab you a new one. For a Friday night at a popular theater, it was dead. I was one of probably 15 people in the whole theater - including employees. When you get to your theater, you’re suggested to use a foot tab to push open the door instead of opening the door with your hands. Seats are spaced out by two, or differently depending by row. Each seat has tape crossed over it, even the seats that are open for patrons. I was one of the three people in my theater for the showing of “The Goonies”, which I could talk about how much I loved, but instead, I’d rather talk about how awkward it was being stuck in this large room with two other people. Ads about social-distancing and their theater guidelines play before the movie, as well as trailers for movies that have been postponed several times now. The experience was interesting and kind of enjoyable, but it had an unsettling and post-apocalyptic feel to it all. If you want to support your local movie theaters, do it safely and cautiously.   |
Jackson ParksI am the junior-editor for the WG Echo and an avid fan of movies, television, and anything in between. I love reviewing and writing about anything that interests me. ArchivesCategories |
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